Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters mentioned, they all belong to NBC and the other PTB
Authors Note: Well, I'm hope sick and was laying in bed when I felt the need to write, and this is what came out. I hope you guys all like it. Tell me what you think. Oh, and there's a lot of naughty words, so there.
Title - That's How It Started
Author - Ashlee
E-mail address - zyp959@hotmail.com
Rating - PG for language
Category - Alternate Universe
Series/Sequel - That's How It Ended
Spoilers - N/A
Summary - Can't tell ya, you'll just have to read it.
"That's How It
Started"
By Ashlee
God life sucks. I know, I know, I have a lot to be thankful for, but right at this moment, life sucks. What I do just doesn't seem to fly anymore. I mean I try and I try and where do I get? Nowhere, that's where. I search and dig and always wind up empty handed. So now I'm sitting in this dank dreary bar drinking myself into a stupor.
You know, today I came really close to finding her, my sister. I mean I was literally minutes behind her, but when I got to her hotel room POOF she was gone. Ah hell why bother. I raise my hand to signal the waitress and I order another. Well, it's only my second one. I'm not drunk yet, but that won't last long.
As I wait for my next drink I hear the door of the bar open. Being the curious and paranoid freak I am, I turn to see who just wandered into this hellhole. When I see who it is I nearly fall out of my chair. What the hell is she doing here? And with him? I quickly tear my eyes off of the couple and sit rigid in my chair holding my breath and hoping they don't notice me. I rest my head in my hands and stifle the feeling of jealousy that rises from the pit of my stomach. I am, after all, the one who set them up. So I guess that leaves me no room to be jealous, but truth be known I only set them up because I knew that I couldn't be with her and, well, he was a good guy, she was lonely and I just wanted her to be happy. I never expected to see them together though. God, I never realized how much this would hurt. Maybe it's the liquor, I rationalize, but then I realize that I've had only had one so far. Were the hell is that waitress? As if she were reading my mind she walked over with my drink. I smiled a thanks and downed it in one gulp and asked for another. She gave me a worried look, but after smiling reassuringly she complied.
I thought about getting out of here, but that only lasted a fleeting moment. As much as I know I should leave, I just can't do it. It's like I want them to see me sitting here. I know, signing my own death certificate, but I'm glued. It's like I'm a glutton for punishment. I think that it's my unconscious way for making up for all those things I did. Yeah, Karma is a bitch. It all comes to bite you in the ass in the end.
I'm now resting my head on my arms on the table, kind of like my students did when they were sleeping in class. I hear footsteps approaching and assume that it's the waitress with my drink. I slowly lift my head to find a stunning pair of legs in front of me. As my gaze moves up I come across a skirt and a familiar red shirt.
"Oh shit." I say out loud, as I finally reach her face, and that's when I notice the person next to her. "Ah hell." I conclude.
"Well hi to you too, Jarod," said Thomas, looking more than a little confused at my response. Thomas stuck out his hand. "It's been a long time."
I take his hand and look at the woman next to him sheepishly.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I've been a little busy." I shot the woman a look. She was the reason I was busy.
"So, Jarod," Thomas's companion said in an overly sweet tone, "you know Thomas?"
God damn it, where's that waitress?
"Yeah, I met him while working at a construction site." God I'm uncomfortable. You know, what's wrong with going to a bar and not talking to people you know? Couldn't everyone just leave you alone, is that so wrong? Damn it, I'm going to go to the bar and get that stupid drink myself if she doesn't hurry the hell up!
"Oh that's right! You and Parker are old friends, aren't you Jarod?"
Oh fuck, this is going to be the shit storm to end all shit storms.
"Oh, so you told him about me, did you Jarod." That tone in Miss Parker's voice is not good. I look around for means of escape, but I'm not finding any. "Only the good things I hope." She placed an arm around Thomas' waist.
Arg! As much as I like Thomas, I could rip him limb from limb right now. That should be me she's putting her arm around! Finally, that damn waitress is bringing me my drink. She hands it to me and I down it in one quick swallow. Parker and Thomas are both looking at me strange. Ah, fuck you.
The liquor is giving me courage. Three drinks'll do that to someone like me, since I don't drink a lot.
"Parker, I know what you're getting at and yes, I did." I sit back, arms folded and proud of taking my stand.
Parker's sneering at me.
"So you set us up."
I stand up to face her, nose to nose.
"Yeah, I did. And you wanna know why? Because I wanted you to be happy. Despite common belief, I don't want you to suffer, I don't want you up at all hours and I do want you to feel loved. And since I can't provide that, and you won't let me do it, I found some guy that could. So sue me for looking out for your happiness." There I said it. Take that. I stand there still staring at her and for once she looks just a little flattered, but then, just as I expected, her look turned cold.
"I don't need a watchdog, Jarod."
"Oh really? Well, let me ask you, just what the hell kind of mess do you think you'd be in right now if I hadn't told you about Lyle and his penchant for Asian woman, or Raines' little playground, or how about your mom? If I hadn't told you all of that, you would be clutched so tight in their hands right now you could never escape. I am just giving you a chance Parker, a chance to be free."
I had forgotten all about Thomas until he spoke.
"What are you talking about?"
Parker and I ignore the idiot.
"Well, let me tell you a little something Jarod. If it weren't for you I would be upstairs in Corporate sitting in a nice leather chair adding signatures instead of chasing your sorry ass all the way around the god damn country!"
"And those papers that you would be signing off on, would you bother to read them? To see how many kids you're sending to that hellhole better known as The Centre?" My voice softened. "Don't you remember what we went through there? How all we ever talked about was leaving and how we would never wish this on our worst enemies, not even Raines?"
Parker looked stunned, and her voice to came out soft.
"I would change it."
"How can you change something that no one else wants to? You can't do it alone Parker, no matter what you might think. There are too many hidden higher ups out there that would squash you the minute you thought of doing anything."
The liquor was really starting to get to me. I guess three Black Russians'll due that to you. But that look on her face, so innocent…it just reminded me of our first kiss. So I did it, the one thing I dreamt about doing every night. I kissed her. Not the sweet innocent kiss we shared in the dark confines of the Centre, but a deep passionate one, one that, might I add, she's returning quite eagerly. She's a really good kisser. Her lips are silky and smooth, and…hey what was that? Oh her tongue. Before I can return the gesture I feel someone pull me back.
"What the…" but before I can finish something hard connects with my face. I step back shocked, but I don't fall. I reach a hand up to touch my mouth and bring it back down to find blood on it. I slowly look around for the jerk off who just hit me and find Thomas looking at me with all the fury of a recently castrated bull. I'm about to ask him why he did that, but then realized what a dumb question that is. I look at Parker who is looking at Thomas with a mad look in her eye. Oops, looks like I started something.
Just as I thought Thomas was going to haul off and hit me again, he put down his fist and shook his head. Then I heard a soft chuckle. I look at him as though he's sprouted another head. What kind of moron laughs when some other guy kisses his girl? He lifts his head and looks at me.
"I should have known from the way you talked about her. You really love her, don't you?" What the hell is he talking about? Oh yeah, Parker.
I look over at her, and back to him.
"Yeah, I do."
"And she loves you." He shook his head and laughed again. What kind of fruitcake is this guy? Maybe I hadn't picked out a good guy for her after all. No, Jarod, you picked out a good guy, you just don't like him because he's with Parker…and he's a nitwit.
"Wait, who ever said that I loved him?" Parker asks, glaring at her 'Tommy'.
Thomas gives her a look.
"Oh don't give me that. I saw the way you kissed him, running your hands through his hair. And besides, you call out his name when you're asleep. I'm not an idiot Parker."
I resist the urge to laugh at that. I was serious when I said I like the guy. I did like him until I actually saw him with Parker. The minute I saw them together my feelings completely changed. Now I just think he's an imbecile construction worker.
Parker looks over at me, and smiles.
"Okay, so I do."
I don't think Thomas was hoping for that response, he looks a little hurt. Well, that's what he gets for pointing it out. "Well that settles it. I'm leaving, I hope you two have fun." And with that Thomas stormed out leaving us behind.
Well, that's how it started. After that Parker left the Centre. Of course Sydney, Broots, and Angelo will be joining us soon, but not yet. We don't want them all leaving at once, that would be too easy to track. Anyway, Parker and me are living in a nice home up in the Rocky Mountains, although Parker says she'll be damned if she stays here through the winter. I guess it's a good thing I bought that summer home in Florida, but I guess now it's a winter home. Anyway, we're getting married in April. She wants a spring wedding, so I figure hey why not. I've cut back on my Pretends, but Parker likes to help, so she isn't too pissy about it. So I guess this is one story that just might end happily ever after.
Well, like it? Well, even if you didn't how 'bout droppin' me a line to let me know what you thought?